Relationships are, by definition, confusing: they begin and end, and they're not always romantic. The writers of Following understand this and portray it in an accurate, but still funny, way. When we meet Patrick, he's trying very hard to find a boyfriend: he has two dates under his belt so far, but has managed to mess them both up, and we're painfully aware that he has baggage. The interesting thing that the show does is give us a snippet of Patrick's prior relationship, allowing us to bump into the ex and see how the two react - the encounter takes place in a toilet and the two make awkward small talk. They are no lingering glances or "I miss you" exchanges: it's cold, awkward and real. These two men did not have a great romance and their aftermath is a representation of that. Next, we have Agustín, the only one of the three who's in a relationship - which is advancing, though perrhaps in the wrong direction. We get the sense that Agustín and Frank have a history, that the relationship we see isn't new thus we see them enter a new frame. In the first episode, Agustín and his boyfriend, Frank, indulge in a threesome with a random man who happens to be working with Agustín. Although this is quite controversial - people could be screaming at the TV "Oh so you think all gay men would happily enter a threesome!" - it is an accurate representation of a young couple that has been together for a long time and are now looking for something else. This is true because it's what some couples would do in such a situation. The moment offers itself, they take it, they deal with the consequences afterwards. Already in episode two we see the rules being laid down and we shall see how these rules affect their lives. Finally, we have Dom, the eldest of the trio, who still has some unfinished business with his ex whom we meet in the second episode. The ex shows Dom everything he doesn't want to become - fake. This a perfectly accurate representation of relationships post-break-up. When people separate, they change, they move on and become other people. Looking understands this . As stated before, relationships are complex - therefore the break-ups would be complex too - and Looking doesn't try to say it any other way.
Thomas Stewart is a graduate from the University of Glamorgan and currently a student on the MA in Writing course at the University of Warwick. He is a Freelance Writer for Mens Fashion Magazine, Make and Believe, Smashpipe and more. As well as writing, he loves horror films, folk music, Raymond Carver, patterned jumpers, Richard Yates, curry, Scarlett Thomas, editing, chick-flicks, watches and biscuits.
